What does online class have to do with the Constitution? May 13, 16:39

Online classes at elementary and junior high schools that are attracting attention due to prolonged school closures. Actually, it has a deep relationship with the constitution. Let's think while solving the past questions of the University Entrance Examination Center Exam.

Online classes attracting attention due to prolonged school closure

Following the spread of the new coronavirus, a supplementary budget was established at the end of April that included economic measures such as uniform cash payment of 100,000 yen. This includes the cost of moving ahead with the deployment of personal computers and tablets to elementary and junior high school students in order to prepare an environment for home learning.

Due to the prolonged holidays, “on-line lessons” using a personal computer have attracted attention, but not all homes have an Internet environment. The challenge is how to eliminate the disparity and guarantee the "right to education" stipulated in the Constitution.

Challenge the University Entrance Examination Center Exam!

This time, let's think about the relationship between education and the Constitution by using the questions given at the University Entrance Examination Center Exam.

problem.
"Choose one of the following (1) to (4) that is the most appropriate description of the rights and obligations related to education and learning under the Constitution of Japan."
(1) It is said that the foundation of the right to education guaranteed by the Constitution is the idea of ​​the right to learn for people to learn and grow.
(2) Under the constitution, the people are not required to have their children receive ordinary education.
(3) Academic freedom guaranteed by the Constitution does not include university autonomy.
(4) According to the constitution, the government provides free education for elementary and junior high schools as well as high school.

This is a difficult problem, but it may be possible to solve it if you work hard.
First, option (1).
The term "learning right". Many people may not be familiar with it. The "learning right" is the right to learn to grow.

Is the "learning right" philosophy the basis of your right to education?

Maybe that's right, but if you haven't learned such things before, don't be discouraged here and read on.

Next, option (2) "Constitutionally, there is no obligation for the people to have their children receive ordinary education."
No, there seems to be an obligation for children to receive ordinary education.
Let's look at Article 26 of the Constitution.

All citizens have the right to receive equal education according to their abilities, as required by law.
All citizens are obliged to have their children protected by ordinary education, as required by law. This is free of charge for compulsory education.

In the second sentence, you are supposed to "obligate." By the way, the three major obligations of the people stipulated in the constitution are "education," "work," and "tax payment." “Compulsory education” means that parents must create opportunities for their children to study at school.

Going forward, option (3) "The academic freedom that the Constitution guarantees does not include university autonomy."
This is also wrong. Freedom of study includes the guarantee of university autonomy. The right to freely discuss and publish even theories that are inconvenient for the state power is protected.

The last option (4) "Constitutionally states that the state should provide education in high schools as well as education in elementary and junior high schools."
High schools that are not compulsory education are not originally free. However, there was also news that in April, higher education was started free of charge for households with low income.

Therefore, the answer is option (1), "The foundation of the right to education guaranteed by the Constitution is that there is an idea of ​​a learning right for people to learn and grow."

Constitution related to life

What is the point of learning the relationship between education and the constitution among students in the first place? The interview group interviewed Ken Moriya, who is in charge of current affairs in social studies at a major distance learning company.

Benesse Corporation Ken Moriya
“While the law is the rule for the people, the constitution has the character of the country. All laws, policies, and judicial decisions do not violate the constitution. Even if the content seems to be unrelated to the Constitution, the rights stipulated in the Constitution are deeply related. Think about how the Constitution is related to our lives. Is important. ''

It seems that problems such as elections (difference of one vote) and constitutional revision procedures are often asked during the entrance examination.

Constitution and the new coronavirus

Now, let's think in light of our current life.
If we all have the right to receive education, the support for learning during school holidays should be equal. However, there is a big difference in the measures taken by each local government. According to a survey conducted by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology through local governments nationwide in April, 10% of respondents "support learning with videos created by the Board of Education". Only 5% of the respondents are “working online in person using a computer or other device”.

Benesse Corporation Ken Moriya
"If there are gaps in educational opportunities, the nation needs to take steps to correct them because the constitution states that the people have the same right to education." If you see any of these news and feel a little skeptical, you should start with curiosity, and that's the significance of what you learn, which in turn helps to enrich your life. "

Extending emergency declarations and ensuring children's learning opportunities are becoming increasingly important. While there are differences in learning between local governments and families, the spread of online lessons may change the form of lessons gathered in classrooms.

Let's take this opportunity to think about what education and society should be like as a result of the spread of the new coronavirus.

In the new corner “Migake, Curiosity!” Of “Weekly Marukai News” (broadcast at 9 am on Saturday), we will delve into the news every week, focusing on current affairs issues that were presented in the entrance examination.
Let's think of "Why?" ..